Our Stories
Happy Banned Book Day! Today we celebrate our right to read and double down on our effort to protect that freedom for the next generation. Our freedom to read depends on both access to books, and access to literacy. Share how your access to books and access to literacy made you the critical-thinking, informed, and […]
In December, we sounded the alarm when CPS’ board adopted a vision to transition away from public school options. But Chicago parents stepped up and spoke out. This morning, the Chicago School Board called a Special Board meeting to pass their five-year strategic plan for CPS schools that calls for “supporting schools across multiple models, […]
If this sounds like you… …then the 2024-2025 Stand for Children Policy Fellowship is for you! Stand for Children is a unique catalyst for educational equity and racial justice, to create a brighter future for us all. Our mission is to expand equitable access to public education opportunities for all children – especially those who […]
Students in Illinois can be fined up to $750 by the police for non-criminal, school-based behaviors, requiring them to attend local administrative hearings that lack any due process protections. This process is called ‘municipal ticketing.’ Marla Baker’s daughter, Amara Harris, was having a normal day at school until she was accused of stealing another student’s […]
Stand for Children Calls on the Senate to Save Critical Bill The following statement can be attributed to Jessica Handy, Illinois Executive Director of Stand for Children: “HB 303 would extend the moratorium on school closures for ALL Chicago Public Schools until the fully elected school board is seated. ALL of them. Magnet, charter, neighborhood, […]
Evidence-Based Funding If the Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) Formula were fully funded, Illinois schools would see about $4.5 billion more in State funds, of which around $1 billion would go to CPS. When EBF passed, there was a stated intention to reach full funding by 2028 and a somewhat contradictory establishment of a $350 million “Minimum […]
